Furman University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Furman University

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Furman University is a private liberal arts college with an acceptance rate of 57%. Located in Greenville, South Carolina, Furman is noted for its high level of student engagement. Over 90% of students take part in internships or undergraduate research programs. The university can boast of a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for it's strengths in the liberal arts and sciences. Furman has an impressive 10-to-1 student/faculty ratio, and an average class size of 15. On the athletic front, the Furman Paladins compete in the NCAA Division I Southern Conference.

Considering applying to Furman University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Furman University had an acceptance rate of 57%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 57 students were admitted, making Furman's admissions process competitive.

Admissions Statistics (2018-19)
Number of Applicants 5,258
Percent Admitted 57%
Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) 22%

SAT Scores and Requirements

Furman has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants to Furman may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 40% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

SAT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
ERW 630 710
Math 600 700
ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

This admissions data tells us that of those who submitted scores during the 2017-18 admissions cycle, most of Furman's admitted students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Furman scored between 630 and 710, while 25% scored below 630 and 25% scored above 710. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 600 and 700, while 25% scored below 600 and 25% scored above 700. While the SAT is not required, this data tells us that a composite SAT score of 1410 or higher is competitive for Furman University.

Requirements

Furman does not require SAT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, note that Furman participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. Furman does not require the essay portion of the SAT.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Furman has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 50% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

ACT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
English 27 34
Math 25 30
Composite 28 32

This admissions data tells us that of those who submitted scores during the 2018-19 admissions cycle, most of Furman's admitted students fall within the top 12% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Furman received a composite ACT score between 28 and 32, while 25% scored above 32 and 25% scored below 28.

Requirements

Note that Furman does not require ACT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, Furman participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all ACT test dates. Furman does not require the ACT writing section.

GPA

In 2019, the middle 50% of Furman University's incoming class had high school GPAs between 3.4 and 3.9. 25% had a GPA above 3.9, and 25% had a GPA below 3.4. These results suggest that most successful applicants to Furman University have primarily A and B grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

Furman University Applicants' Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph.
Furman University Applicants' Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph. Data courtesy of Cappex.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Furman University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Furman University, which accepts fewer than two-thirds of applicants, has a competitive admissions pool. However, Furman also has a holistic admissions process and is test-optional, and admissions decisions are based on much more than numbers. A strong application essay, short answer response, and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. The college is looking for students who will contribute to the campus community in meaningful ways, not just students who show promise in the classroom. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades and scores are outside of Furman's average range.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. You can see that most successful applicants had "A-" or higher averages, SAT scores of about 1200 or higher (ERW+M), and ACT composite scores of 25 or higher. Note that grades are much more important than standardized test scores due to Furman's test-optional admissions policy.

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All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Furman University Undergraduate Admissions Office.

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Grove, Allen. "Furman University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/furman-university-gpa-sat-act-data-786476. Grove, Allen. (2020, August 27). Furman University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/furman-university-gpa-sat-act-data-786476 Grove, Allen. "Furman University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/furman-university-gpa-sat-act-data-786476 (accessed March 29, 2024).